Episode 19: The Story Behind the Symptom With Jenny Weinstein McPhee, LCSW: Parenting in the Age of Perfectionism—and the Power of Connection

Episode Description:

 This episode is a must-listen for any parent who’s ever felt like they’re doing it all wrong. We’re joined by therapist Jenny Weinstein McPhee (of Manhattan-based JMW Therapy) to talk about what’s really going on beneath the surface—behind anxiety, behind control, behind the overwhelm. What if your child’s behavior isn’t just “bad behavior”… but a message? What if our own perfectionism is quietly disconnecting us from the people we love most?

Jenny helps us unpack how connection—not correction—is the foundation of every healthy relationship. We talk about how to pause instead of explode, why your child’s behavior or tantrum may actually be a cry for help, and how to reframe the guilt and shame we carry as modern parents. This conversation covers parenting, partnership, food modeling, emotional safety, and why asking for help is one of the bravest things we can do.

In This Episode, We Cover:

• Why behaviors like anxiety, eating disorders, and substance use are often symptoms—not the root
• “Connect before you correct”: how this phrase can change parenting, marriage, and friendship
• The shame spiral of perfectionist parenting and how to break free from it
• How children really learn: through watching us model food, stress, and emotional regulation
• Reframing misbehavior as communication: what your child might really be trying to tell you
• Why therapy doesn’t have to be a last resort—and how it can strengthen connection before things unravel

Favorite Takeaways:

• "When someone feels disconnected, everything feels worse."
• “What looks like acting out is often just a cry for connection.”
• “We don’t need to do more—we need to show up.”
• “You can’t just treat the food behavior. You have to treat the emotional wound underneath.”

🎀 PINK SPOTLIGHT ROUND UP:
Our signature closing segment with rapid-fire fun things making life a little better this week:

✨ Jenny: Connect with one person a day—"it keeps the doctor away"
✨ Christina: Dr. Becky’s “Good Inside” app, the parenting tool you didn’t know you needed
✨ Kristina: The Better Sister on Amazon Prime—binge-worthy and twisty in the best way

Show Notes & Links:

• Want to learn more from Jenny or work with her directly?
  Jenny Weinstein McPhee is a licensed clinical social worker and the founder of JMW Therapy, where she specializes in working with couples, families, and individuals navigating anxiety, eating disorders, and the pressures of modern life. Her approach is rooted in compassion, curiosity, and connection.
  📍 Based in Manhattan (offering in-person + virtual sessions)
  💻 Visit JMW Therapy for more information

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